Most Americans agree that communities thrive when they have access to high-quality education. Polls show that voters expect more out of the nation’s public schools. Yet, just 4 percent of Americans think education is the country’s most important problem, according to Gallup. The question is, “Why so few?”

There seems to be a disconnect between how people view their local schools and how they view schools nationwide. More than 50 percent of Americans give their local public schools an A or a B grade, according to the 2015 Education Next Poll. Ask Americans to grade public schools nationwide, however, and only 23 percent give an A or B grade.